Can't thank you enough. I've been struggling endlessly to light 7018 rods, alternatively "striking like a match" and "poking" or "tapping". I burner a few rods this morning, just doing starts by being "gentle". Finally, the advise I needed. You have freed me to use 7018.
I've been sanding the area where your ground clamps for at least 327 years, I was welding way back before Yoda turned green and I made Luke Skywalker's light saber for him by using a modified tig torch- I forgot how I did it exactly, so don't be questioning me about it!
As a electrician most of my time striking an arc was a failure in the extreme. So it's been a traumatic experience rewiring my brain and convincing myself I really needed to do it. After many hours I've realised it's about a good connection [ comes from the electrician ] comfortable.... and finally being really gentle with it . Tbh I'm so plsd I came across this video. If I was paid every time I switched it all off & simply walked away I'd be rich. Excellent advice bro
This is very good advice. I've only been welding off and on for 2 years now. I was told, strike it like a match, and I got nowhere. I found being slow and gentle when striking up was the way to do it. I'm not a good welder but I am rapidly improving every time I strike up. I spent so much time focusing on starting and screwing that up I didn't get to learn what a puddle looked like. For 20 years I avoided learning and now I love "having to drag out the cables".
I agree. It is good to hear you are improving every time. That is what it’s all about. Repetitiveness and adjusting and making changes in between every pass.
Did pipe for 45 years, last 5 as an instructor. When I started it was P5 root and Low High fill and cap. In the early 90's code became Tig root, fill and cap 3 inch and below. Stick fill and cap everything above 3 inch. Some of us would just weld them out tig if we were in the rack rather than climb down to reset the rig every time. Loved the job, made a good living for my family and that was what was important to me.
@@larrykeel2739 Pipeliners have welded downhill for ages, one of the main rods they have used is HYP. You may have heard of it by it's nickname hippy rod. It is designed to run downhill and has a 70 thousand pound tensile strength. Those boy's out of Oklahoma can cover many a mile a day welding those pipelines.
I have TIG welded quite a bit (in my garage). I took a class at a community college about a year ago. And learned stick and mig and tig. But I have not done any stick since then until about a week ago. I was having a big problem striking an arc and I see what I'm doing wrong. You were a big help!!! Thanks.
I'm not a professional welder. Home duties etc. Learning to tig but also stick. The light like a match wasted a lot of time for me and to come across your channel now has really corrected my mindset. Everything you said makes sense. I really appreciate your time in making these videos to help others. Cheers!
My uncle started us by crushing the tip of the rod for contact, contact, contact he kept repeating it. Probably the best instruction on striking a arc I have heard.
Thank you for the great advice and for being humble enough to retract your previous advice i.e strike like a match. Many from the emerald isle, Ireland
Good tips! I keep a plain ol' red brick on my welding cart. When I have a dirty end on a rod (flux, burnt, etc.), I drag it on the brick and it shines it right up, ready to rock and roll. Give that a try.
I admire your approach/instruction/self examination even with a field you know so well. i've been an intensely involved carp/cbtmkr for 40 years. It is fantastic that you continue to refresh your ideas, especially as you teach. And your detailing impt issues (clothes, stance, holding of the rod) to get comfortable and why is just such a great example of teaching. I'm a beginning welder cuz couldn't get any help w/big mach on the farm. My acquaintances only advice was "keep it in the puddle". Thanks for your philosophy and advice
Great video. You're the only one I've viewed who recommends using a gentle touch. Im going to give it a try today because I've been so frustrated starting the arc and sticking the electrode. Well done.
My welding teacher turned out to be someone I liked as a fellow human being but probably will learn more on RUclips. He did help me get acclimated to my own equipment that I took in for that purpose. However, you sir are an excellent instructor. I’m subscribing and will follow you intently. I’m one of those dreaded DIY’s… I’ve had a few classes where the instructor was a quick down and dirty type followed by trial and error. I started with stick where I did crappy welds followed by my own Meg and fill in love with the thing. I’m setting up my equipment soon and will put your gentle approach to practice. Thank you so much. J bo
As with anything, both instructors have merit. With any technical task sometimes you are better to be "thrown into the fire" for long enough that when you do get the detail instruction.. you actually understand and have a feel for what they are talking about. I had some great instructors like that.. kind of like "3 phase learning" Phase 1: Safety and bare minimum instruction Phase 2: Struggle bus Phase 3: Bring it all in with the details.
Watched this video because it came up in my suggested algorithm and so thankful it did. You have answered so many questions I had no idea I needed to ask. Starting my welding project and have my welders ( flux core and stick ) I have some practice on flux core and was impressed how easy it can be. Now I’m confident to stick weld after watching this video. I have subscribed to your channel.
One of my goals for this year it to learn how to weld. Just DIY hobby stuff, cause I realized it comes in handy around the house. So I started watching RUclips videos, and reading online, just to get a grip of what I'm trying to achieve, to learn a little bit the vocabulary and so on. So far, this is the best video about how to strike a welding rod, with images and explanations that actually make sense. I can say that I finally understood at least the theory behind it. I feel a little less scared or anxious to strike my first rod. You, sir, are an awesome man, doing an awesome job.
hello Dear brother Austin, i am learning a lot from you, especially i have been struggling with 6013 . After watching your videos i knew my mistakes. thank you
Thanks Austin, cleared up a couple things. Cleaning a ground and easing into the burn. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep up the great tips and tutorials. Fred.
This is the exact advice I needed. I was literally striking it like a match. And I have learned I need to loosen up cuz I tended to get stiffened up. Thanks brother
Thank you. I've always felt that what everyone was telling me was wrong. Now i don't have to wonder if it was just me that couldn't do it the right way. It wasn't. It was just me getting comfortable!
AROSS, I literally spent a night striking and adjusting within the listed parameters…I gave up that night. EVERY welder friend I have, “strike a match”… I’ve been Arc welding now for about two years, still very much rookie, I gotta say I never strike matches. After that first night I dumped my cup(of knowledge) out completely and went in blind…I’ve been utilizing a drag technic and have recently realized, finesse is sooooo much better. So, well done making this vid. I’m a patient, highly motivated learner. If I never heard that strike a match stuff I probably would’ve been welding that 1st night. Just thgt I’d add to your “gentle” video hoss. Learned in the garage without you and you tube, then it dawned on me that the interwebs might have something to offer…immediately I was a welding rock star. Thank you for being one of my continuous mentors. 💯
Perhaps the funniest weilding demonstration I saw is S. Korea while attending Central Texas College at Camp Casey in 1984. I had been taking an automotive tune-up class with Mr. Clark to learn a little bit about emissions equipment. Mr. Clark had 21/23 ASE certification tabs. The only reason he didn't have all is he had been out the USA for a couple years. The following semester I took basic weilding with Mr. Webb a certified weilder who had been recently hired. In the interim the previous semester Mr. Clark had been teaching weilding also. The question was, "Who was the better weilder?" The challenge was who could weild better vertical uphill behind their back without looking. Mr. Clark did a noticeably better job while smoking a cigarette and talking. Of Mr. Webb said, "That don't mean nothing." I did do a little tig weilding on a lathe making surgical instruments. Some flat steel shop structural weilding that I enjoyed. Worked as weilders helper in the oil field and as a weilder on non-certified pipe supports. I enjoyed shop weilding but it didn't pay that well.
Great video, Austin. That is a great learning video, and this will help the new guy learn an easier way to weld where they don't stick the rod. Austin, I am so excited about your excellent job on my welding bed and mounting it to the truck. You have made my dream come true. Everyone I show the picture to is like that, a slick-ass rig, and I could not have done it without you. Bob King didn't even want to do the work on my rig, and he is the name on my bed. Thank you for helping out and making me a sharp welding rig. Rowdy Parker.
Industrial electrician here but I know some about welding. P5+/6010 for unistrut (right?) and 7018 for mild steel. Rake the rod on concrete to remove the flux cap to make an easy strike when welding. Your the pro and im only 46 seconds into the vid.. lol TY and thanks for the info you provide for us less experienced people.. TY SIR!!!! ..
Dood (much respect). I did go to welding school a few years back for something to do for extra income in my retirement. I must say that you teach better than the teachers in my school.
I remember when someone showed me the use your finger to break the flux off the tip when restarting that really helped good tips and tricks especially when you're up high like on a ladder or something 😊 thanks for sharing your time and skills with us all ❤❤
Finally, an explanation besides "like a match". I'll try it like you explained later. Haven't welded in like 12 years, I was barely a novice then. I did get it (a shitty little arc welder) to make a tiny weld and did notice it was when I was way more gentle with the strike. 7018 might not have been good rod to start with. People seem to say try 6013 is easier. Need to fix my lawnmower deck bracket. Thank you.
I’ve stick welded on and off for years, just now actually learning to do it well, I’m a beginner, but the most important thing I’ve found to help when striking is filing/sanding the tip of my rod, the cleaner it is the easier it is to strike in my experience
Austin, you saying Get Comfortable when welding took me back to school. We were doing uphill 6010 and the instructor came in my booth and pushed real gently on my shoulders. "Why ain't you braced up?" (I kept control of the puddle the whole time thankfully....) "Always brace up!" He said. The rest is history now. Even if I'm just playing with a rod in practice, I always try and touch something solid with my body.
Zen and the art of arc strike. I'm going to head out to the shop in the morning to practice this with some 6010 and 7018. Two very different feeling electrodes to me.(6010 DC has always been an easy start to me.)
Same here, watching videos only, but it appeared to be the trickiest part of lighting up - I've yet to pick up my first welder this week; I live in a 3rd world country in the far east and the local council built a storm drain outside my house but ran out of funds before it was finished - there is a missing removeable concrete cover section a metre long and we have kids playing around here all the time. It's a death trap waiting to happen. My first welding job next week is to fabricate a catle-grid type cover.
Another great video! Keep up the great work! Some day, I will tell you about the time when I was welding inside a new oilfield tank at the shop and actually welded two seams, one stinger & rod in each hand, at the same time! I only tried it once,but I actually welded 2 seams at e same time!
I have a 220 Lincoln that I’ve had for 30 yrs but that’s my biggest problem getting it to start and not stick.i was using 7018 a couple wks ago and it fired up right and burned right for a couple rods then back to the same old crap.i’m in the process of taking everything apart and cleaning and making sure connections are good now.mother of god I hope this does it.i learned learned to braze first then mig but first had the buzz box,we’ll see how it goes,oh and yeah I’m just a backyard diyer
I love that advice GET COMFORTABLE. Oh what a difference it makes. A pro can weld if he’s wrapped like a pretzel upside down but the rest of us sure can’t.
Great video young man!! I haven't done much welding over the years drove a truck for 38 years. For several years had a great neighbor that did all my welding for me we moved about an hour away now i have to do the welding myself well it don't look very good but it has held so far but maybe i can do a better job now after watchin you i was striking it kinda like a match. Thanks for sharing be safe have fun.
Practice practice practice. You will catch on with time. Be the boss and relaxed. The new eelders are easier, but I learned on a 99 dollar Lincoln buzz box that made me comfortable with anything that makes sparks. Time and rods.
I learned many years ago as a pipe welders helper on 6" - 12" to set my machine to 1/8" P5 for the downhand root and hot pass but when I fill & cap with 7018 I use 3/32" without reseting my heat. Many pipe welders have busted when they ran 1/8" P5 but had to reset increase their heat for 1/8" 7018.
Good tips. It took me a while to figure out the “the death grip” on the stringer it not a easy way to weld. When I’m using 7018 I keep a file on me to file the end of the rod if needed. It just make’s easier restarting. Thanks for your help and sharing information.
I got to thinking yesterday well I was welding plates onto a machine and grabbed one of a files that I never use. It works great at not only knocking away the slag but all the little bits in the crakes formed. A lot better than a chipping hammer. Had a few problems with the 7018 not wanting to weld on both sides of the gap. Regardless of me bouncing back and forth from each plate. Took a few different try’s to fill clean and not weld one side only for a while then the other for a while. Tried the bend the rod and push down hard and that made the rod fill go down into the groove. If I had to do it again I would of made the groove wider.
Great advice and definitely don’t drink too much coffee because I have noticed that I get a little more shaky after too much caffeine but absolutely great advice
In the 70's while in the Navy, some of us in the HT shop got the bright idea of trying our hand at trick welding, it's started with using a mirror and welding between our leg's, first flat then vertical, that wasn't enough, the we duck taped the stinger to our foot and did the same flat vert and overhead, when we finish it was the stinger taped to our foot welding two pieces of plate in a bucket of water. What was the point? other than boredom we wanted to test our skills in welding in not so comfortable conditions, I worked with a bunch of really good welders and our abilities at welding at sea be it up on the mast to hanging over the side in a boswin seat underway. A few of us went off to be underwater welders or iron hangers. Great video 👍🏻, although never heard "strike a match" now drag it or tap it yes, maybe it should have been "gently strike like a match" that's what you are doing and saying. I guess those of us who have been at it for a long time take for granted the little thing's we do, I make a rotten teacher because I forget those little things.
I just started stick recently and im so glad i found this video because my stick kept getting stuck on vertical, and the good and gentle bit fixed that completely. 👍
when I read the clickbait, I was like: "what, BS!" , but I totally understand that I have been saying it wrong too! sort of the same motion but trying to just barely make contact while moving a bit. thanks for correcting that often quoted phrase.
welded for the first time yesterday with 3/32 7018 and lorddd it kept sticking but i noticed once it arced once then if i was really gentle it would get going. fun stuff
You Will be a good teacher for the younger boys on the pipeline brother. I remember my first time. My dad told me. Son relax calm. Take a good look and a Little more power haha good days
My custom, liquid-cooled welder with transformers wired in series just gets its arc started with a simple touch. Store-brought welders don't let you change the voltage, only current through parallel wiring. But yeah! A big enough charge can also help you initiate the arc.
Another trick I've found useful for busting the flux off of 7018 is just twisting it like you're putting out a smoke on the Phillips screw in the stinger.
Austin , I forgot that the last video I watched, before watching yours, I had set the playback to 75%, so when your video came on, you sounded 3 sheets to the wind, and I thought, oh my, he has gone on a bender, haha... but I know better than that...... great information here, thanks so much for sharing, Paul
I remember having all kinds of issues when I started welding - sticking rods, holes in material, slag under the welds, etc. I've been trying all settings from 60 to 200 amps and electrodes from 1.0mm to 4.0mm and nothing worked well whatever I tried. Then I realized it's actually all about a touch. If you're gentle enough and have a calm and relaxed hand you can do whatever you want with any equipment and setting you're working with. Of course, that still requires to have some basic knowledge about materials you're welding but steady-hand is a key to get your job done successfully (sorry people with Parkinson's).
Phenomal welding skills sir. Subbed. On my second class of into to smaw stick, and i had a lot of issues with the 7018 sticking. I tried turning amps down, up, etc. I think using the stinger and just practicing as you did, and getting COMFORTABLE is key.
Thanks ive done practice before and if i would of gotten your advice prior the learning curve would have been so so much easier i felt this was great advice and your video was excellent thanks again for info 👍😎
Thank you very much for this tip . I have been whaching your Chanel for a little while and subscribe. Do to the fact that you give a lot of good advice. I am a teen specifically 15 and am in 8th grade and this is helping me practice at home trying to teach my self . Thankyou very much for your advice again and god bless you .👍👍
Yep, striking like a match just causes me to jump and pull the rod off the work piece. Gently touch the work piece works well and I don’t “stick”. Thanks!
I really like your video, but had trouble seeing (video too dark) the 7018 re-striking part. Guess if weld stopped to restart the 7018 tip has to be electrically "clean" for contact. Would like to hear how it was cleaned for restarting. Thanks for video!!
One thing that is not talked about much is welding machines . There is a world of difference in how they work and how easy or not it is to strike an arc.
I also like to drag it at a low angle so it hits the flux first, then I get it a little steeper so it can make contact with the rod and it usually strikes up perfectly without sticking. Helps if the rods have a good flux tip on them.
i drag like a scratch..light enough not to leave a mark, but strong enough to make contact...in about 3 minutes i learned striking like a match is a great way to weld the tip to the object and unable to move the stick with out first having to bust it off...and then there is the large surface puddle of the amount of stick that melted on the spot you got stuck before you broke off... making wear bars on 16' of 8' diameter core barrel drilling casing is probably the fastest way to learn how to stick weld properly and the foundation for any other type of welding
Yup. The other bit of really good advice I heard for beginning stick welders is: When it sticks, let go of the rod with the clamp. Makes it a lot easier to bust it off, and you don't end up with a hot mess where it stuck.
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
As a 27 year old welder with 34 years of experience... this guy is the Bob Ross of Welding!!!
Oh man I like it! Be gentle!
Am I having a stroke?
Beeee Geyentle
Lmaooooo
Yep……I’ve been welding for almost 2 years. But way back in the 50s I used to weld pipe on the Texas oil rigs using 7018 with an inverter welder. XD
That gentle voice almost put me to sleep. Buy yes, calm, cool and collected is the way to go. Cheers Austin!
Can't thank you enough. I've been struggling endlessly to light 7018 rods, alternatively "striking like a match" and "poking" or "tapping". I burner a few rods this morning, just doing starts by being "gentle". Finally, the advise I needed. You have freed me to use 7018.
For me it was 6010, today i figured it out and have felt like a god.
I've been sanding the area where your ground clamps for at least 327 years, I was welding way back before Yoda turned green and I made Luke Skywalker's light saber for him by using a modified tig torch- I forgot how I did it exactly, so don't be questioning me about it!
Thank you for your services amen
😂😂😂
327 year's! my God man are you the Moses of welders, Do you throw down a welding rod and yell "Let my welders go!, to lunch"
@@SouthernGround So let it be written, so let it be done!
Can you weld the crack of dawn or a broken heart?
That Gentle' demo was everything for me 😂😂 😂 Thanks Ross for the tips👌💪💪. You're the best
My pleasure!
Best definition of how to strike up a rod I have heard in all the years that I have been welding.
As a electrician most of my time striking an arc was a failure in the extreme.
So it's been a traumatic experience rewiring my brain and convincing myself I really needed to do it.
After many hours I've realised it's about a good connection [ comes from the electrician ] comfortable.... and finally being really gentle with it . Tbh I'm so plsd I came across this video.
If I was paid every time I switched it all off & simply walked away I'd be rich.
Excellent advice bro
This is very good advice. I've only been welding off and on for 2 years now. I was told, strike it like a match, and I got nowhere. I found being slow and gentle when striking up was the way to do it. I'm not a good welder but I am rapidly improving every time I strike up. I spent so much time focusing on starting and screwing that up I didn't get to learn what a puddle looked like. For 20 years I avoided learning and now I love "having to drag out the cables".
I agree. It is good to hear you are improving every time. That is what it’s all about. Repetitiveness and adjusting and making changes in between every pass.
Did pipe for 45 years, last 5 as an instructor. When I started it was P5 root and Low High fill and cap. In the early 90's code became Tig root, fill and cap 3 inch and below. Stick fill and cap everything above 3 inch. Some of us would just weld them out tig if we were in the rack rather than climb down to reset the rig every time. Loved the job, made a good living for my family and that was what was important to me.
Yes sir I’m an older welder too and I only remember p5 root and 7018 hot pass and fill and cap now I heard that they are running pipe downhill
@@larrykeel2739 Pipeliners have welded downhill for ages, one of the main rods they have used is HYP. You may have heard of it by it's nickname hippy rod. It is designed to run downhill and has a 70 thousand pound tensile strength. Those boy's out of Oklahoma can cover many a mile a day welding those pipelines.
"Good and gentle" was like being home from school sick watching Bob Ross!
I have TIG welded quite a bit (in my garage). I took a class at a community college about a year ago. And learned stick and mig and tig. But I have not done any stick since then until about a week ago. I was having a big problem striking an arc and I see what I'm doing wrong. You were a big help!!! Thanks.
I'm not a professional welder. Home duties etc. Learning to tig but also stick. The light like a match wasted a lot of time for me and to come across your channel now has really corrected my mindset. Everything you said makes sense. I really appreciate your time in making these videos to help others. Cheers!
My uncle started us by crushing the tip of the rod for contact, contact, contact he kept repeating it. Probably the best instruction on striking a arc I have heard.
Ladies will be pleased with this explanation...And the expression on your face while welding without looking was just priceless 🤣
Ha! The ‘good and gentle’ segment was classic! Love it and appreciate your videos!
Spot on. That strike it like a match had me all messed up. Amazing how consistently that is said.
Thank you for the great advice and for being humble enough to retract your previous advice i.e strike like a match.
Many from the emerald isle, Ireland
Great video Austin!
And your "gentle" voice makes you a great teacher too.
Happy little sparks :-)
Exactly what i do Austin. Been welding pipe for 40+ years. I found the hard way by trial and error.
Good tips! I keep a plain ol' red brick on my welding cart. When I have a dirty end on a rod (flux, burnt, etc.), I drag it on the brick and it shines it right up, ready to rock and roll. Give that a try.
Cleanliness is next to godliness in welding... 😁👍 Will ALWAYS make starting a weld much much easier.
my instructor always used to say "if you want to weld like a god you gotta clean like a god"
I admire your approach/instruction/self examination even with a field you know so well. i've been an intensely involved carp/cbtmkr for 40 years. It is fantastic that you continue to refresh your ideas, especially as you teach. And your detailing impt issues (clothes, stance, holding of the rod) to get comfortable and why is just such a great example of teaching. I'm a beginning welder cuz couldn't get any help w/big mach on the farm. My acquaintances only advice was "keep it in the puddle". Thanks for your philosophy and advice
Great video. You're the only one I've viewed who recommends using a gentle touch. Im going to give it a try today because I've been so frustrated starting the arc and sticking the electrode. Well done.
For all the heaps thrown at stick welders by all other advanced weld operators, striking an arc is an art.
My welding teacher turned out to be someone I liked as a fellow human being but probably will learn more on RUclips.
He did help me get acclimated to my own equipment that I took in for that purpose.
However, you sir are an excellent instructor.
I’m subscribing and will follow you intently.
I’m one of those dreaded DIY’s…
I’ve had a few classes where the instructor was a quick down and dirty type followed by trial and error.
I started with stick where I did crappy welds followed by my own Meg and fill in love with the thing.
I’m setting up my equipment soon and will put your gentle approach to practice.
Thank you so much.
J bo
Pleasure is all mine!
As with anything, both instructors have merit.
With any technical task sometimes you are better to be "thrown into the fire" for long enough that when you do get the detail instruction.. you actually understand and have a feel for what they are talking about. I had some great instructors like that.. kind of like "3 phase learning"
Phase 1: Safety and bare minimum instruction
Phase 2: Struggle bus
Phase 3: Bring it all in with the details.
Watched this video because it came up in my suggested algorithm and so thankful it did.
You have answered so many questions I had no idea I needed to ask.
Starting my welding project and have my welders ( flux core and stick ) I have some practice on flux core and was impressed how easy it can be.
Now I’m confident to stick weld after watching this video.
I have subscribed to your channel.
One of my goals for this year it to learn how to weld. Just DIY hobby stuff, cause I realized it comes in handy around the house. So I started watching RUclips videos, and reading online, just to get a grip of what I'm trying to achieve, to learn a little bit the vocabulary and so on.
So far, this is the best video about how to strike a welding rod, with images and explanations that actually make sense. I can say that I finally understood at least the theory behind it. I feel a little less scared or anxious to strike my first rod.
You, sir, are an awesome man, doing an awesome job.
I’m so glad you found this video helpful! Thank you for sharing your feed back. It’s much appreciated! Have an awesome day!
hello Dear brother Austin, i am learning a lot from you, especially i have been struggling with 6013 . After watching your videos i knew my mistakes. thank you
Thanks Austin, cleared up a couple things. Cleaning a ground and easing into the burn. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep up the great tips and tutorials. Fred.
This is the exact advice I needed. I was literally striking it like a match. And I have learned I need to loosen up cuz I tended to get stiffened up. Thanks brother
My pleasure
Thank you. I've always felt that what everyone was telling me was wrong. Now i don't have to wonder if it was just me that couldn't do it the right way. It wasn't. It was just me getting comfortable!
yes, I am a beginner and have been striking way to hard, "like a match," and frustrated. thank you very much!!!
AROSS, I literally spent a night striking and adjusting within the listed parameters…I gave up that night. EVERY welder friend I have, “strike a match”… I’ve been Arc welding now for about two years, still very much rookie, I gotta say I never strike matches. After that first night I dumped my cup(of knowledge) out completely and went in blind…I’ve been utilizing a drag technic and have recently realized, finesse is sooooo much better. So, well done making this vid. I’m a patient, highly motivated learner. If I never heard that strike a match stuff I probably would’ve been welding that 1st night. Just thgt I’d add to your “gentle” video hoss. Learned in the garage without you and you tube, then it dawned on me that the interwebs might have something to offer…immediately I was a welding rock star. Thank you for being one of my continuous mentors. 💯
Pleasure is all mine!
Thank you. I cant wait to try this in my next class. Ive never tried "gentle" because i was told to strike like a match.
Yes, I clean everything, and comfortability is a must. 20+ yrs as a boilermaker. Great video.
Perhaps the funniest weilding demonstration I saw is S. Korea while attending Central Texas College at Camp Casey in 1984. I had been taking an automotive tune-up class with Mr. Clark to learn a little bit about emissions equipment. Mr. Clark had 21/23 ASE certification tabs. The only reason he didn't have all is he had been out the USA for a couple years.
The following semester I took basic weilding with Mr. Webb a certified weilder who had been recently hired. In the interim the previous semester Mr. Clark had been teaching weilding also.
The question was, "Who was the better weilder?" The challenge was who could weild better vertical uphill behind their back without looking. Mr. Clark did a noticeably better job while smoking a cigarette and talking. Of Mr. Webb said, "That don't mean nothing."
I did do a little tig weilding on a lathe making surgical instruments. Some flat steel shop structural weilding that I enjoyed. Worked as weilders helper in the oil field and as a weilder on non-certified pipe supports. I enjoyed shop weilding but it didn't pay that well.
Camp Casey was lots of fun. There in 2003.
Great video, Austin. That is a great learning video, and this will help the new guy learn an easier way to weld where they don't stick the rod. Austin, I am so excited about your excellent job on my welding bed and mounting it to the truck. You have made my dream come true. Everyone I show the picture to is like that, a slick-ass rig, and I could not have done it without you. Bob King didn't even want to do the work on my rig, and he is the name on my bed. Thank you for helping out and making me a sharp welding rig. Rowdy Parker.
Pleasure is all mine brotha man. Thank you for trusting me to be involved in your welding bed.
I like to put my weld rod in my exhaust pipe .it takes the chill and h20 out of ur 6910/7018 hilow. 24 years same ZR8 new from Ohio Lincoln
Industrial electrician here but I know some about welding. P5+/6010 for unistrut (right?) and 7018 for mild steel. Rake the rod on concrete to remove the flux cap to make an easy strike when welding. Your the pro and im only 46 seconds into the vid.. lol TY and thanks for the info you provide for us less experienced people.. TY SIR!!!! ..
Yes, 6010 5P plus should be OK for the Uni strut. Although 7018 would work also. But the 6010 will be much easier. And it is my pleasure!
Best definition of how to strick
Dood (much respect). I did go to welding school a few years back for something to do for extra income in my retirement. I must say that you teach better than the teachers in my school.
I remember when someone showed me the use your finger to break the flux off the tip when restarting that really helped good tips and tricks especially when you're up high like on a ladder or something 😊 thanks for sharing your time and skills with us all ❤❤
Always used my teeth for that
Finally, an explanation besides "like a match". I'll try it like you explained later. Haven't welded in like 12 years, I was barely a novice then. I did get it (a shitty little arc welder) to make a tiny weld and did notice it was when I was way more gentle with the strike. 7018 might not have been good rod to start with. People seem to say try 6013 is easier. Need to fix my lawnmower deck bracket. Thank you.
I’ve stick welded on and off for years, just now actually learning to do it well, I’m a beginner, but the most important thing I’ve found to help when striking is filing/sanding the tip of my rod, the cleaner it is the easier it is to strike in my experience
How did you know I wanted to have an awesome weekend!?!? You know everything! Thanks
Austin, you saying Get Comfortable when welding took me back to school. We were doing uphill 6010 and the instructor came in my booth and pushed real gently on my shoulders. "Why ain't you braced up?" (I kept control of the puddle the whole time thankfully....) "Always brace up!" He said.
The rest is history now. Even if I'm just playing with a rod in practice, I always try and touch something solid with my body.
Thanks.. I was told that very thing ...just strike it like a match....and yes was to aggressive and getting frustrated.
Thanks again.
Zen and the art of arc strike.
I'm going to head out to the shop in the morning to practice this with some 6010 and 7018. Two very different feeling electrodes to me.(6010 DC has always been an easy start to me.)
Thank you for covering this!! It took me two weeks to figure this out
My pleasure! Thank you for your feedback.
Same here, watching videos only, but it appeared to be the trickiest part of lighting up - I've yet to pick up my first welder this week; I live in a 3rd world country in the far east and the local council built a storm drain outside my house but ran out of funds before it was finished - there is a missing removeable concrete cover section a metre long and we have kids playing around here all the time. It's a death trap waiting to happen. My first welding job next week is to fabricate a catle-grid type cover.
@@tyrotrainer765 that's awesome brother, I hope you get it fixed up safe enough for the kiddos to be around and enjoy it in the process 🤙
@@johnrutherford9454 Cheers John!
This video helped me so much. I am a DYI beginner and was struggling. Thank you!
Pleasure is all mine
Another great video! Keep up the great work! Some day, I will tell you about the time when I was welding inside a new oilfield tank at the shop and actually welded two seams, one stinger & rod in each hand, at the same time! I only tried it once,but I actually welded 2 seams at e same time!
I have a 220 Lincoln that I’ve had for 30 yrs but that’s my biggest problem getting it to start and not stick.i was using 7018 a couple wks ago and it fired up right and burned right for a couple rods then back to the same old crap.i’m in the process of taking everything apart and cleaning and making sure connections are good now.mother of god I hope this does it.i learned learned to braze first then mig but first had the buzz box,we’ll see how it goes,oh and yeah I’m just a backyard diyer
I love that advice GET COMFORTABLE. Oh what a difference it makes. A pro can weld if he’s wrapped like a pretzel upside down but the rest of us sure can’t.
It makes a big difference for sure.
Thing is, I think the pro can weld that way because they've learned how to comfortably brace despite being in that kind of position.
Great video young man!! I haven't done much welding over the years drove a truck for 38 years. For several years had a great neighbor that did all my welding for me we moved about an hour away now i have to do the welding myself well it don't look very good but it has held so far but maybe i can do a better job now after watchin you i was striking it kinda like a match. Thanks for sharing be safe have fun.
Practice practice practice. You will catch on with time. Be the boss and relaxed. The new eelders are easier, but I learned on a 99 dollar Lincoln buzz box that made me comfortable with anything that makes sparks. Time and rods.
First thing my dad taught me about welded was A.B.C…Always be comfortable. When you’re uncomfortable is when you get shaky
I am very new at trying to learn to weld and Austin has broken it down simple for me to learn,thanks
My pleasure
I learned many years ago as a pipe welders helper on 6" - 12" to set my machine to 1/8" P5 for the downhand root and hot pass but when I fill & cap with 7018 I use 3/32" without reseting my heat. Many pipe welders have busted when they ran 1/8" P5 but had to reset increase their heat for 1/8" 7018.
Thank you man! My first day of welding practice was dodo and frustrating, but thank you!
This is new, be comfortable and gentle. Thanks man
Good tips. It took me a while to figure out the “the death grip” on the stringer it not a easy way to weld. When I’m using 7018 I keep a file on me to file the end of the rod if needed. It just make’s easier restarting. Thanks for your help and sharing information.
Our pleasure!
I got to thinking yesterday well I was welding plates onto a machine and grabbed one of a files that I never use. It works great at not only knocking away the slag but all the little bits in the crakes formed. A lot better than a chipping hammer. Had a few problems with the 7018 not wanting to weld on both sides of the gap. Regardless of me bouncing back and forth from each plate. Took a few different try’s to fill clean and not weld one side only for a while then the other for a while. Tried the bend the rod and push down hard and that made the rod fill go down into the groove. If I had to do it again I would of made the groove wider.
Thanks for this video, I like your calmness and the way u talk, im going to practice this today.
Pleasure is all mine
Great advice and definitely don’t drink too much coffee because I have noticed that I get a little more shaky after too much caffeine but absolutely great advice
In the 70's while in the Navy, some of us in the HT shop got the bright idea of trying our hand at trick welding, it's started with using a mirror and welding between our leg's, first flat then vertical, that wasn't enough, the we duck taped the stinger to our foot and did the same flat vert and overhead, when we finish it was the stinger taped to our foot welding two pieces of plate in a bucket of water. What was the point? other than boredom we wanted to test our skills in welding in not so comfortable conditions, I worked with a bunch of really good welders and our abilities at welding at sea be it up on the mast to hanging over the side in a boswin seat underway. A few of us went off to be underwater welders or iron hangers.
Great video 👍🏻, although never heard "strike a match" now drag it or tap it yes, maybe it should have been "gently strike like a match" that's what you are doing and saying. I guess those of us who have been at it for a long time take for granted the little thing's we do, I make a rotten teacher because I forget those little things.
I went to stick school for the basics this was good to help me get started again thanks
Great tips. Noob here...I have not been making sure the ground is nice and clean. I'm sure I'll see a difference now.
You're a GOOD TEACHER. APPRECIATE THAT. SUBSCRIBED!
I just started stick recently and im so glad i found this video because my stick kept getting stuck on vertical, and the good and gentle bit fixed that completely. 👍
when I read the clickbait, I was like: "what, BS!" , but I totally understand that I have been saying it wrong too! sort of the same motion but trying to just barely make contact while moving a bit. thanks for correcting that often quoted phrase.
welded for the first time yesterday with 3/32 7018 and lorddd it kept sticking but i noticed once it arced once then if i was really gentle it would get going. fun stuff
Yes sir it’s a lot about you listening to your weld too Amen you are doing great for the future welders coming up very awesome
Thank you for the advice I have been teaching myself and have been struggling with this
You Will be a good teacher for the younger boys on the pipeline brother. I remember my first time. My dad told me. Son relax calm. Take a good look and a Little more power haha good days
My custom, liquid-cooled welder with transformers wired in series just gets its arc started with a simple touch. Store-brought welders don't let you change the voltage, only current through parallel wiring.
But yeah! A big enough charge can also help you initiate the arc.
Glad that I came across your informative, well-spoken video, so I subbed.
Thank you!
Only watched half and it was the longest video ever lololol good god man.
Another trick I've found useful for busting the flux off of 7018 is just twisting it like you're putting out a smoke on the Phillips screw in the stinger.
Austin , I forgot that the last video I watched, before watching yours,
I had set the playback to 75%,
so when your video came on, you sounded 3 sheets to the wind,
and I thought, oh my, he has gone on a bender, haha...
but I know better than that......
great information here, thanks so much for sharing, Paul
I remember having all kinds of issues when I started welding - sticking rods, holes in material, slag under the welds, etc. I've been trying all settings from 60 to 200 amps and electrodes from 1.0mm to 4.0mm and nothing worked well whatever I tried. Then I realized it's actually all about a touch. If you're gentle enough and have a calm and relaxed hand you can do whatever you want with any equipment and setting you're working with. Of course, that still requires to have some basic knowledge about materials you're welding but steady-hand is a key to get your job done successfully (sorry people with Parkinson's).
Phenomal welding skills sir. Subbed. On my second class of into to smaw stick, and i had a lot of issues with the 7018 sticking. I tried turning amps down, up, etc. I think using the stinger and just practicing as you did, and getting COMFORTABLE is key.
Thank you for the sub. We greatly appreciate it!
Thanks Austin.
Be gentle
Best advice
I like the woodpecker method for restarting 7018!
About 30 years ago I started rolling / twisting the tip of the rod on every cold strike, never had a hang up since
Thanks ive done practice before and if i would of gotten your advice prior the learning curve would have been so so much easier i felt this was great advice and your video was excellent thanks again for info 👍😎
Thank you very much for this tip . I have been whaching your Chanel for a little while and subscribe. Do to the fact that you give a lot of good advice. I am a teen specifically 15 and am in 8th grade and this is helping me practice at home trying to teach my self . Thankyou very much for your advice again and god bless you
.👍👍
My pleasure!
Yep, striking like a match just causes me to jump and pull the rod off the work piece.
Gently touch the work piece works well and I don’t “stick”.
Thanks!
I was striking the match. But no more. Thank you!
My pleasure!
Good advice. Wish I had heard this before I started welding.
can't believe how much i needed to hear and see this. thanks
My pleasure
Awesome video. That gentle spark off is nice.
I really like your video, but had trouble seeing (video too dark) the 7018 re-striking part. Guess if weld stopped to restart the 7018 tip has to be electrically "clean" for contact. Would like to hear how it was cleaned for restarting. Thanks for video!!
If you wrap the lead around your arm once it makes the handle really light in your hand and makes it easy to be gentle.
Decent point but if you’re learning how to tig, this can lead to bad habits of forming a death grip on the torch lol
You can always drag the tip across the concrete a couple times to to help start back up after stopping a weld
i always had good luck with making contact and then a slight twist and it would kick off. worked quite well. especially on painted iron.
Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers
One thing that is not talked about much is welding machines . There is a world of difference in how they work and how easy or not it is to strike an arc.
I also like to drag it at a low angle so it hits the flux first, then I get it a little steeper so it can make contact with the rod and it usually strikes up perfectly without sticking. Helps if the rods have a good flux tip on them.
That is a good idea
@@arosswelding Thanks and thank you for all of your helpful videos. They've helped me out over the past couple years!
The bob ross of welding!💪🏻
You are the man austin!!! Thanks for all the tips and advice
My pleasure
Buddy, you just gained another subscriber. Great, great content.
i drag like a scratch..light enough not to leave a mark, but strong enough to make contact...in about 3 minutes i learned striking like a match is a great way to weld the tip to the object and unable to move the stick with out first having to bust it off...and then there is the large surface puddle of the amount of stick that melted on the spot you got stuck before you broke off... making wear bars on 16' of 8' diameter core barrel drilling casing is probably the fastest way to learn how to stick weld properly and the foundation for any other type of welding
Yup. The other bit of really good advice I heard for beginning stick welders is: When it sticks, let go of the rod with the clamp. Makes it a lot easier to bust it off, and you don't end up with a hot mess where it stuck.